Establishing Independent Environmental Protection Agency to Assess Forest Preservation and Climate Resilience Against Development Needs

Miss Rachel Ong asked the Minister for Sustainability and the Environment whether the Government will consider establishing an independent Environmental Protection Agency to (i) assess forest preservation and climate resilience considerations against development needs, particularly for housing and (ii) provide environmental assessments and oversight independently of the Ministry of National Development.

Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien: The Government currently has no plans to establish a separate independent Environmental Protection Agency to assess environmental and climate resilience considerations against development needs.

The Ministry of National Development oversees land use planning in consultation with relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, as well as its Statutory Boards, and takes into account the various considerations and trade-offs involved, including environmental protection and climate resilience.